Compliance Veterinarian

About The Job

The Compliance Veterinarian supports both the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) at the University of Minnesota in maintaining exemplary compliance programs by reviewing compliance applications/protocols, participating in post-approval monitoring and observation, providing training for investigators on animal-related procedures, and participating in semi-annual inspections of animal housing and use areas.

The position reports operationally to the IACUC Director but will also have a significant portion of responsibilities reporting to the IBC Director and the Attending Veterinarian (AV). The successful Compliance Veterinarian will be detail-oriented, work independently, and have excellent written and oral communication skills. The Compliance Veterinarian will interact with faculty and their staff as well as personnel from numerous University units including: IACUC, OBAO, RAR, HSRM, and the BSL3 Program.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

• 65% Veterinary Review of IACUC protocols and other IACUC tasks:

  • Review IACUC protocols (new submissions, renewals, amendments) across a broad range of animal models and research paradigms and provide recommendations to maintain compliance, enhance animal welfare, improve study design, and assure procedures are in alignment with institutional policies, SOPs, and practices.
  • Enter comments and review investigator responses in the electronic protocol system (eProtocol).
  • Attend and participate in IACUC meetings to discuss protocols and other IACUC topics.
  • Aid in review and updating of policies and SOPs related to use of animals.
  • Participate in semi-annual inspections of animal use areas.

• 15% IACUC Post Approval Monitoring and Training:

  • Participate in post approval monitoring of approved IACUC research activities to ensure compliance with IACUC protocols and all applicable policies.
  • Observe and provide feedback on procedures performed by investigators.
  • Provide training/retraining to investigators to improve technique.
  • Correspond with investigators and staff to communicate findings and recommendations.

• 15% Veterinary Review for Biosafety:

  • Review IBC protocols involving animal use for compliance to federal guidelines and best practices for biosafety (NIH Guidelines, BMBL).
  • Work with administrative offices to provide investigator feedback for congruency between related IBC and IACUC applications.
  • Attend and participate in IBC meetings.
  • Attend and participate in BSL3 Advisory Committee (BAC) meetings.
  • Assess and update policies and facility SOPs related to use of animals and biosafety compliance requirements set by the IBC.

• 5% Other Animal Use and IBC Compliance:

  • Inspect animal use areas for facility and equipment containment requirements according to federal guidelines and best practices (NIH Guidelines, BMBL).
  • Track animal use facilities for IBC compliance needs.
  • Train RAR veterinarians and fellows as needed in IBC compliance responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, equivalent degree from an AVMA accredited veterinary school, or certification of veterinary training through programs such as ECFVG and PAVE.

• At least four years of experience or at least one year of research training.

• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills and ability to initiate and compose correspondence to investigators and to produce accurate written records.

• Strong organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of specific experience or training in the field of laboratory animal medicine.

• DACLAM, or eligible to become board-certified.

• Experience with a variety of animal species and research models, particularly non human primates.

• Experience working in a large and complex academic institution with multiple stakeholders.

• Working knowledge of federal laws and regulations governing the use of animals in research, AAALAC accreditation, animal biological safety and containment best practices (BMBL), and important industry/USG guidelines (e.g. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Ag Guide, NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules, Occupational Health, etc.).

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and the Google suite of on-line applications.

• Familiar with PowerPoint.